Hiya blog readers! I cannot believe that today is Sunday and we have found ourselves at the end of yet another wonderful week. By this time in the evening, most of us might be getting what is referred to as the “Sunday Scaries.” It’s that little bit of anxiety that creeps up with the impending return to the office, school, or work. Well, I am happy to report that since the summer has started, not once have we felt the Sunday Scaries here at the Apogee office. Maybe it’s because I’m a blogging machine who lives to blog. Or maybe it’s because the stories and photos of these amazing adventures keep us going. Whatever you’re feeling this Sunday, please enjoy a glimpse into day 11!
Skip to a Specific Trip: CI, NEMC1A, NEMC1B, NEMC2, CS, DEX, VMA, CRMC, CMCA, CMCB, AKMC, NWXA, NWXB, PCA, PCB, AX, PMC, ECC1, ECC2, ACC
Cape Cod & the Islands (CI)
Say it ain’t so! CI is coming to an end tomorrow. This first shot was taken right after the group enjoyed a delicious breakfast at their hostel. Our friends then spent an amazing last full day together hanging out and exploring the great city of Boston. Check them out in front of Quincy Market!
New England Mountains & Coast A (NEMC1A)
Right till the last full day of their trip, NEMCA is still out and about doing amazing things! Today, the group spent the morning volunteering with a local community garden before heading into town for a delicious final dinner. What a fun and rewarding way to finish off the trip!
New England Mountains & Coast B (NEMC1B)
NEMCB’s final day together was spent sea kayaking along the beautiful Maine coast. Everybody loved spending time out on the water and worked up an appetite for their final dinner in town! Do you think any of them managed to catch some fresh Maine lobsters?
New England Mountains & Coast (NEMC2)
New trip alert! Today was the very first day of our NEMC2 trip and leaders Ryan and Emma were so excited to meet everyone. After the whole gang arrived, students learned how to set up their campsite in the wonderful woods of Maine before enjoying a delicious dinner in the fresh evening air. Let’s do it!
Caribbean Service (CS)
For CS it was another beautiful day to do some service work with their friends at the Sail Relief Team. We love seeing our Apogee crew make a difference in the communities they visit. After a fulfilling day of clean up, our group still had enough energy to salsa dance the night away during their evening dance lessons!
Maine’s Downeast Explorer (DEX)
They did it! Our superstar DEX crew just had their final day in the back country. After two amazing nights on the AT, we’re sure they’ve gained some valuable hiking and back country living skills. In the afternoon, the group made their way to Baxter State Park where they will spend the night before climbing Mount Katahdin tomorrow. The mountains are calling and they must go!
Vermont to Montréal A (VMA)
Good morning Canada! After crossing the border yesterday, our VMA friends woke up to their first full day in the Great White North. Today, the group enjoyed a ride through some Quebec farmland and made it to their camp with lots of time for some snacks, group bonding, and of course Apogee Napogees (pictured below). What a wonderful way to spend a Sunday!
Costa Rica Mountains & Coast (CRMC)
Last day at the ecolodge! Today CRMC had round two of volunteering in the garden and were excited to get their hands dirty and learn even more about the world of sustainable farming. Hopping from one incredible location to the next, CRMC will be leaving the lush rain forest to head to the amazing coastal beach town of Bahina tomorrow. Once the group gets service, we’re hoping to get all of their incredible pictures from the past couple days!
California Mountains & Coast (CMCA)
Rise and shine! Or in the case of CMCA, rise and surf! Today, CMCA drove from Santa Cruz to the beautiful Half Moon Bay for a day of surfing. After spending the day “shredding the gnar” as their instructor Ron would say, CMCA headed back to their beach side campsite for a delicious dinner. I can’t believe tomorrow is the group’s last full day together!
Side note: Be sure to check out yesterday’s blog post as there were some incredible pics from the Yosemite back country added late last night.
California Mountains & Coast (CMCB)
CMCB had a relaxing morning in Santa Cruz before making their way to Half Moon Bay for their exciting afternoon of surfing! Once their wet suits were on and they got the full run down from their guide Ron, the group was ready to hit the waves. Somebody cue the Beach Boys! For now, here are some shots from CMCB’s time in Yosemite.
Alaska Mountains & Coast (AKMC)
Just when you though AKMC couldn’t get any cooler, they went glacier hiking and ice climbing. These AKMC adventurers met their guides in the morning and spent the day out on the ice. There aren’t that many people who can say they were brave enough to climb a glacier in Alaska. What an incredible experience!
Side note: If you have not already, be sure to check out yesterday’s blog post as there were some sick kayaking photos added late last night.
Northwest Explorer (NWXA)
Day two in the amazing back country of the North Cascades! While our friends enjoy the wilderness, no cell service means we’ll have to wait this one out till we get any blog pics (I have a feeling they’re gonna be awesome).
Northwest Explorer (NWXB)
Another day, another amazing paddle! Today our NWXB kayaked off of Cypress Island for the morning before pulling their boats on shore for a delicious lunch. After some more paddling in the afternoon, the crew dried off and hopped on the ferry to Anacortes. From Anacortes, the group headed to their campsite and were super excited for their rest day tomorrow!
Pacific Coast (PCA)
Happy day off! And a well deserved one at that. After their biggest mileage day yet, PCA spent the morning relaxing and enjoying the beautiful coast of Northern California. In the afternoon, the group did some amazing volunteer work and helped clean up the local area.
Pacific Coast (PCB)
Today our PCB group biked 46 Miles on what looks like some beautiful roads. Leaders Andrew and Meg kept the energy high with plenty of laughs and chances to stop and enjoy the scenery. Special shout out to support leader Zach for always being there for our PCB groups every step (or I guess every pedal?) of the way!
Alps Explorer (AX)
Another amazing day in the land of cheese, mountains, and chocolate! AX started their day by taking the bus down the beautiful valley. Some highlights while hiking included views of the Aiguille de Bionassy and its glacier as they trekked through the meadows. It looks like another highlight was the adorable dog that stole everyone’s attention in the second pic! Another amazing day to be an Alps Explorer!
Pyrenees Mountains & Coast (PMC)
It’s all coming full circle! After a relaxing morning at the beach (and a bag of baguettes?) in Hendaye, PMC said Au revoir to France and headed back to Barcelona. After all those dips in alpine lakes, backpacking, and surfing, the city barely recognized them. Who are all these fabulous, well traveled people?
Europe Coast to Coast 1 (ECC1)
Lots to unpack with these photos…After their quick stop over in France, ECC1 had a very eventful 66 km back to Belgium. At the Belgium/France border, the group stopped at a police station and two students got a taste of the policewoman life! While there were no cows today, ECC1 made another unlikely friend in the form of a giant bronze pig named Woinic. Here are some of our favorite (real life!) quotes from their crew about the iconic Woinic:
Europe Coast to Coast 2 (ECC2)
After a gorgeous day of biking, ECC2 made their way from France to Chimary, Belgium. While these lucky bunch got to spend the morning cycling through the northeast of France, us at the office settled with blogging about it from the northeast of the U.S. (which is still fabulous nonetheless!). The group also got a chance to catch the U.S. Women’s World Cup victory!
America Coast to Coast (ACC)
Petition for ACC to officially stand for “All-star Cycle Crew” because it’s the end of week two and they’re still going strong! Today, the group had a smooth day of biking across Alabama where at the end of the day they made it to their final destination of Aliceville. Get ready for their fifth state Mississippi tomorrow!
